The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Oct. 07, 1997
Filed:
Mar. 05, 1996
Kent Hewitt, Mesa, AZ (US);
Willem Smit, Phoenix, AZ (US);
Emile van Rooyen, Phoenix, AZ (US);
Frederick Bruwer, Phoenix, AZ (US);
Microchip Technology Incorporated, Chandler, AZ (US);
Abstract
According to the present invention there is provided an encoder, which in one embodiment, includes a processing circuit which generates an output code according to an encoding algorithm, a counter circuit for incrementing a counter value such that only one bit of the counter value changes each time the counter value is incremented, a non-volatile memory for storing the counter value, and a transmitter which transmits the output code and the counter value. In another embodiment of the invention there is provided a method for use with an encoder having a processing circuit which generates an output code according to an encoding algorithm, a counter circuit for incrementing a counter value, a non-volatile memory for storing the counter value, and a transmitter which transmits the output code and the counter value. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of incrementing the counter value such that only one bit is changed each time the counter is incremented. In still a further embodiment the method includes the steps of using a semaphore register and determining whether the semaphore register is set to 0.